114 of the Hottest Christmas Gifts for Kids This Year

As shopping editors and writers, our job is to scour the internet day and night, looking for the best products and deals for parents and caregivers. We also attend toy and baby expos, visit factories, go to new product launches, follow trends, test hundreds of products, and constantly barrage our own kids with questions to learn what’s hot right now. So, when we say we’ve done the research to find the best Christmas gifts for kids, you can trust us.

This year has been particularly exciting when it comes to toys and gifts for kids. We’ve seen fun new technology, a few classics making a comeback (according to our teens, digital cameras are “vintage”), creative movie merch, personalized options, and toys that make us want to be kids ourselves. We’ve gathered our favorites on this list to help you out—because we know how busy the holiday season can be.

Shop more of our editor-approved gifts and toys on Amazon.

Our Favorite Christmas Gifts for Kids

Baby and Toddler Christmas Gifts

If you’re looking for a way to make any parent of a toddler life’s easier this holiday season, be sure to pick up the viral play Christmas tree that’s ready to decorate and destruction-resistant even from the most curious of little hands. We also appreciate pared-down versions of “big kid” toys, like a Fisher-Price Barbie Little People Dreamhouse that has tot-sized elements with full-sized fun.

Tech and STEM Gifts

STEM gifts can make a gift-giver feel good because they know they’re helping mold young minds and boost their engineering abilities. You can gift STEM toys to kids as young as 3 years old (the Osmos Genius start set is great for this age group) or go old school and create wireless connections for tweens to communicate the old-fashioned way—with walkie-talkies. 

Building Toys for Kids

Toys with a building component invite open-ended play to foster creativity in any shape or form kids see fit, while gifts like Legos also offer clear instructions for builders who prefer to follow a blueprint. And what’s even better? Legos that can pull double duty as room decor.

Toys for Pretend Play

We have included imaginative toys for every type of interest, from stuffed animals to Play-Doh to flying fairies. And, of course, no childhood experience is complete without serving up some pretend ice cream with all the toppings (no extra charge). 

Puzzles and Board Games

What we love about giving games as gifts is that it’s not just about the fun—it’s also about the connection games can bring. For instance, Pictionary Air can be played by the whole family, and a T-Rex Rumble game that requires strapping on tiny dinosaur arms while taking on hilarious challenges will create lasting memories.

Unique Gifts for Kids

Some gifts just can’t be put into boxes: The wondrous feeling when your family’s Elf on the Shelf arrives—now with his friend, the magical arctic fox—and the memories made while singing your favorite The Little Mermaid tunes with a Disney song-enabled karaoke machine. These unique gifts can keep giving year-round in the memories and quality time you spend with the kiddos.

Arts and Crafts

Arts and crafts activities make ideal gifts for kids of all ages, from art kits that inspire creativity (along with entertainment) to crochet kits for young ones looking to learn a new skill. And don’t forget the toddler and preschooler crowd, who will enjoy staying busy at their very own interactive toy desktop—complete with storage and light-up abilities to teach letters, numbers, and shapes. 

Sports and Outdoor Toys for Kids

Toys that get young ones up and moving can range from indoor climbing equipment for toddlers to their very first pogo stick to unique rainbow stacking “stones.” Older preschoolers and school-age kids ready to venture out on some wheels may enjoy a kid-powered go-kart. And for the more traditional activities, choose from toys that cover every type of sport, from soccer to basketball. 

Books for Kids

Books are always the way to our hearts, so it’s only fitting that we recommend gifting a book for kids of all ages. Choose from bilingual books for toddlers, a chicken-tastic tale, or focus on expanding young minds with gender-inclusive reads. 

Our Review Process

To find the best Christmas gifts for kids of all ages, we started our research by studying the design and features of hundreds of toys and gifts on the market. We carefully considered each gift’s pros and cons, age recommendations, ease of use, and value. To further our research, we surveyed 875 parents, asking what toys their kids love to play with, how they play with them, and why they enjoy them. We also monitored shopping trends and watched the latest toy releases by attending toy fairs nationwide. 

Factors to Consider When Selecting Christmas Gifts for Kids

• Entertainment Value: A gift that focuses on just plain fun will almost always be a hit. Kids of all ages tend to gravitate to toys that are silly, kooky, cool, popular, and make them laugh. Items that move, sparkle, light up, make noises, are unusual, or otherwise wow are big winners, too. Additionally, you can’t go wrong if you buy a toy that relates to the child’s specific interests.
• Age Recommendation: Follow the manufacturer’s age recommendation to ensure children can safely play with their gift and use it without feeling too difficult (or the opposite). Also, tweens and teens will likely be happiest if their gift is intended for their age and up.
• Longevity: Gifts that will capture their attention and speak to their interests are a surefire way to ensure the gift will be used. Pick toys and gifts for kids that offer long-lasting fun or several ways to use them, such as games or toys with multiple features that keep the playing going. 

How Do I Pick the Right Gift for a Child?

Consider your child’s age, interests, and hobbies when picking out their gift. You can also pick from what is trending. Some of the hottest toys for Christmas include Bitzee, Lego Mars Rover Perseverance, and the Melissa and Doug Wooden Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter.

How Do You Choose a Toy That a Child Will Like?

Generally, kids tend to like anything new that aligns with their passions and/or items that are popular among other kids their age. For example, if they love sports, a team jersey or new sports equipment will likely be well-received. Buying them the new toy that everyone is talking about is also a good bet.

Who We Are

Katrina Cossey is a commerce editor, enthusiastic shopper, and devoted mom. She’s researched thousands of baby products, toys, gifts, and more and personally tested many of them. In her spare time, you’ll likely find her in the beautiful outdoors of Oklahoma with her husband and 4-year-old son. In addition to her own kiddo, Katrina also buys for her two nieces during the holidays.

Additional reporting by:

Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, a 7-year-old son, and a 3-year-old daughter. Maya loves family game ideas and may give gifts that spruce up her kids’ school desks (at home), although all they will want are toys, toys, and more toys.